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One Pot Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta

One Pot Creamy Pesto Sauce Pasta
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A comforting and flavorful one-pot pasta dish combining the rich, herbaceous taste of fresh pesto with a luscious creamy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe uses simple ingredients, cooks in under 30 minutes, and requires minimal cleanup while delivering a hearty and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Liquids

  • 8 oz dry penne, fusilli, or rotini pasta
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half

Sauce & Flavorings

  • 1/3 cup store-bought or homemade pesto
  • 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients, mince the garlic, and measure out the pesto and cream to ensure a smooth cooking process without interruptions.
  2. Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, infusing the oil with savory aroma.
  3. Add Pasta and Broth: Pour in the dry pasta followed by the broth, making sure the liquid just covers the pasta evenly.
  4. Cook the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  5. Stir in Pesto and Cream: Mix in the pesto and heavy cream gently, stirring well to combine everything into a rich, creamy sauce coating the pasta.
  6. Finish with Parmesan and Seasoning: Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.

Notes

  • Use quality pesto for best flavor — fresh or high-quality store-bought.
  • Do not overcook pasta; aim for slightly al dente texture.
  • Stir constantly while cooking to prevent pasta sticking to the pot.
  • Adjust broth quantity depending on pasta type for ideal sauce consistency.
  • Add a sprinkle of lemon zest just before serving to brighten flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: one pot pasta, creamy pesto pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, pesto sauce, creamy pasta

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/one-pot-creamy-pesto-sauce-pasta/